Debra Goolsby woke up at 5 a.m. Thursday, as so many other Black Friday shoppers did, in search of once-a-year bargains on gifts big and small.
Advertisement
People walk past and into the front of Old Navy during a Black Friday sale on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26, 2015 in San Francisco, Calif. The three-year-old contest is a million dollar jackpot that the store offers to shoppers who wait in line specifically for the prize.
“Black Friday now spans the entire week, with online and mobile shopping playing an important role as consumers increasingly rely on tech to complete their holiday shopping”.
Moody’s analyst Charlie O’Shea said he saw big crowds at the New Jersey Best Buy and Target stores he visited. In a strip mall that included Kmart, every store was open, but the only one with a shopper inside was Starbucks.
“We’re going to find good deals and she’s going to get some nice Christmas presents”, said David Perez. “Last night you were waiting at least 20 to 30 minutes in line”.
Some stores even had additional savings and specials.
Folks brought their shopping lists, checked them twice and then checked out. Many stores around the country were full on Thanksgiving evening, Reuters reported. Members of the Unchained Brotherhood, a motorcycle club for recovering addicts with chapters across Washington, stood out in the cold along North Market Street near the Renegade Classics motorcycle parts store, collecting donations and toys for kids. “They have things for like $5 and $10”, said Tiara Merritt of West Philadelphia.
Target employees expected the store to be busy.
Many stores pushed discounts on holiday merchandise early.
“Our team loves this day and this weekend it’s one of what we call “Super Bowl” for the store”, Miller said. “I actually think the deals were better a year ago”, she said.
Bay Area shoppers appear more likely to procrastinate about holiday shopping this year compared to their national counterparts. Motorists were focused and intent as they trekked to the Lehigh Valley’s malls and shopping centers, where sales and seasonal traditions awaited before the sun came up.
Kevin Sandoval had never gone shopping on Black Friday, but he was lured by a Sam’s Club TV deal – $100 off a 55-inch television.
He also said that Abercrombie and Old Navy are looking good, but overall believes that apparel has taken a hit, as has mall traffic.
But this year was an altogether more sedate affair, not just in Huddersfield but around the United Kingdom, where major centres including the Trafford Centre in Manchester and Liverpool One were practically deserted.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, for those who didn’t feel like joining the throngs today, there’s always tomorrow – some retailers say they’ll keep the deals coming for a few days more.
